The Colonies.

pearance . Nearly all the vessels were decorated with flags , and several displayed the * ' hieroglyphics bright" which none but Craftsmen understand , and as the leading carriages of the procession drew up in front of the Britannia hotel , some of the ships fired a- salute . A double line was formed by brothers from the carriages to the entrance of the hotel , and the P . G . M . Kent , was met on alighting by Br . Leon , the W . M . of the Lodge of Unit }' , with several of his officers , who escorted him to the Lodge-room , where the ceremony of leave-taking was most impressive . The procession again

formed and proceeded to the steam-tug , which was boarded by all the brethren , who seemed determined not to part from their respected President until the last moment . On the signal to start being given , the air was rent with cheerings from the shore and the deep booming of guns from the saluting battery below the Company ' s Bridge . On boarding the Antelope , the party proceeded to the saloon , which presented a most imposing appearance , as nearly two hundred Masons , in their rich regalia , occupied it . D . P . G . M . Lazar proposed the farewell toast in a brief but impressive speech ; it

was received with an unmistakeable manifestation of sincerity , and was responded to by P . G . M . Kent , who was deeply affected , in an eloquent reply . He acknowledged for himself and his family the great honour conferred upon him by the Craft in that public demonstration ; he referred regretfully to the suspension of the intercourse that had evoked such kindly feelings , and declared that " Strong memory on his heart shall write Those happy scenes whan far awa' . " He then hade " a heart-warm fond adie" to every brother present , ancl they , wishing him all prosperity , took their leave . —Adelaide Observer .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

THE PATRIOTIC FUND AND THE ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the Masonic Mirror . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . —Allow me a little space in your useful and valuable ( and I mean what I say ) infant publication , on the point of the late grant of _ £ " 1000 to the Patriotic Fundfor the relief of the widows and orphans of the disabled and

, wounded British seamen , ancl marines , serving in the war in the East . I need not remind you that there is a maxim , and a very old one , "That we should always be just before we are generous , " and another is , that " Charity begins at home , " or should do so .

Now , taking these premises , I should bo last m the world to say a word about the noble and princely vote , on the part of the most worshipful Grand Master , who was mainly instrumental in its grant , but that I fear , from the state of the funds of the Masonic Benevolent Institution , for the granting annuities to the distressed and decayed brother Freemasons , it has made a most serious and frightful inroad on the finances of that excellent and praiseworthy Institution . Can it bo possible , that out of a list of thirty-five candidates , only two can be admitted to participate in its bounty . And

that is actually occasioned by the vote of , £ 1000 to the Patriotic Fund just named . I would not for a moment attempt to cast the slightest shadow of reflection on our excellent Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , but it is much to be deplored that the funds will not allow the whole of the applicants to be admitted ; more particularly , when it is taken into consideration , that not a few have applied , two , throe , four , and even some eleven years following . And how dreadful it is to contemplate that , perhapsthe two candidates may be taken in on their first lication . I have no doubt

, , app but that our excellent Grand Master brought forward the vote with the best Masonic feelings that even a brother could possess , and the only remedy I see , is to propose , through your widely reflecting " Mirror , " that every Lodge would pay for every Member contributing , the sum of One Shilling , for three years , to put the fund in a proper condition . I think , if this be proposed , it will be most cheerfully responded to by the fraternity . Now , there happens to be about 800 contributing Lodges , and say there are twenty members to every Lodge , whose contributions may be depended on ;